WHITEHALL, WI (Special) Goodwin Jerome Anderson,
Quartermaster First Class, spent a 30-day leave with his wife and
daughter, Rosemary, and his mother, Mrs. G. B. Anderson, and family here,
after 16 months at sea aboard an LST boat, in which he took part in five
major amphibious operations. They were the invasions of the Gilbert
Islands, Marshall Islands, Hollandia Bay, New Guinea, Mariana Islands,
and Palau Islands. In four of these operations, the ship carried assault
forces and spearheaded the attack on the islands.

Anderson was commended by his commanding officer for his part in
these operations, when he, "in every instance, displayed a cool
willingness and efficient knowledge" of his duties.

Following the
Gilbert Islands Operation, the congratulations from Admiral Nimitz
received by the LST boats taking part said: "The Gilbert Islands
were quickly wrested from the enemy because of excellent cooperation
among all services in careful planning and courageous execution."

Following
the capture of Tarawa in the Gilberts, Anderson took part in the
invasion of Kwajalein, after which he returned briefly to Pearl Harbor.

Next
came the Hollandia Operation and the wait in Buna Bay, until orders to
proceed to Saipan. In this operation, the boat on which Anderson was
stationed was given credit for the destruction of a Jap plane which came
over. That was on June 15.

They were off Saipan for weeks, before
proceeding to recapture Guam. Resting briefly at Guadalcanal, they went
on to Peleliu in the Palau Island Group, where Anderson's LST was cited
for launching its cargo of Marines and tanks in four minutes and 57
seconds. That was on September 15. This was the sixth time Anderson's
boat was first in time of launching.

Anderson's boat left the Palau
Islands on September 28 and sailed for the States. His 30-day leave
expires January 5, when he will report at Norfolk, VA for re-assignment.

Anderson
said that his boat always landed about the third wave of Marines in the
invasion of an island and, by that time the Japs, surprised at first,
had had time to set up their mortars and put up a stubborn defense.
Anderson said the boys on the boats were lucky compared to the invading
Marines and added that the only invasion in which the ships had been
bombed was in the Gilberts.

Anderson will have been in the service
three years next February. After completing his boot training at Great
Lakes, he was sent to Norfolk, VA for amphibious training. After his
training, he served for some time as an instructor.